Rivers PDP Crisis Deepens as Fubara Faction Reclaims Secretariat

A fresh chapter in the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State appears to have opened, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s faction of the party has moved to resume control of the party’s secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.

This development follows a recent judgment by the Rivers State High Court, which invalidated the party’s ward, local government, and state congresses conducted by a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The court ruling has been hailed as a victory for the legitimate leadership of the PDP in the state, which is now led by Governor Fubara’s group.

In a statement, the leader of Fubara’s faction, Ewor, expressed confidence that the court ruling had effectively restored control of the party to its rightful members. “This judgment means that the party is being returned to its original owners, and we will implement it to the letter,” Ewor declared. He emphasized that the ruling nullified the positions held by Chukwuemeka Aaron, Martin Amaewhule, and 26 other individuals who were elected under the disputed congresses.

Ewor further accused Nyesom Wike and his allies of manipulating directives from the PDP National Secretariat to extend the tenure of former party executives, leading to what he described as a “controversial election” that brought the aforementioned individuals into leadership positions.

The Rivers State High Court recently barred Aaron Chukwuemeka, and others from parading themselves as members and executives of the PDP in the state.

The faction now in control of the party has vowed to implement the ruling and ensure the PDP in Rivers State is led by those loyal to Governor Fubara, whom they consider the legitimate leader of the party in the state.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kenneth Yorwika, Publicity Secretary of the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, issued a defiant statement opposing the the move to seize the secretariat. Yorwika warned that any attempt by Ewor’s group to take over the secretariat would escalate the crisis further. He stressed that the matter was currently under appeal, with the appellant court set to make a ruling.

Despite the tensions, Ewor called on the PDP’s National Executive to promptly enforce the court’s judgment and recognize Governor Fubara as the legitimate leader of the party in Rivers State. He expressed optimism that with the party’s leadership restored, the PDP could unite and effectively position itself as a strong opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.